Understanding Main Ideas

Front

Main idea definition

Back

Central point of a text

Front

Identifying main idea

Back

Look for repeated themes

Front

Summarize a paragraph

Back

Condense into key points

Front

Main idea in one sentence

Back

Single sentence summary

Front

Supporting details

Back

Facts that back up main idea

Front

Example of main idea

Back

"Pollution harms the environment."

Front

Main idea vs. Topic

Back

Main idea is specific; topic is general

Front

Finding main idea in a story

Back

Focus on plot and characters

Front

Main idea in nonfiction

Back

Often in first or last sentence

Front

Importance of main idea

Back

Helps understand author's message